Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide after COVID-19: A prospective cohort study (the SECURe study).

Many patients exhibit persistently reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, dual test gas diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and nitric oxide (DL,CO,NO) metrics and their relationship to disease severity and physical performance were examined in patients who previously had COVID-19. An initial cohort of 148 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 of all severities between March 2020 and March 2021 had a DL,CO,NO measurement performed using the single-breath method at 5.7 months follow-up. All patients with at least one abnormal DL,CO,NO metric (n = 87) were revaluated at 12.5 months follow-up. The DL,CO,NO was used to provide the pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DL,NO), the pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL,CO,5s), the alveolar-capillary membrane diffusing capacity and the pulmonary capillary blood volume. At both 5.7 and 12.5 months, physical performance was assessed using a 30 s sit-to-stand test and the 6 min walk test. Approximately 60% of patients exhibited a severity-dependent decline in at least one DL,CO,NO metric at 5.7 months follow-up. At 12.5 months, both DL,NO and DL,CO,5s had returned towards normal but still remained abnormal in two-thirds of the patients. Concurrently, improvements in physical performance were observed, but with no apparent relationship to any DL,CO,NO metric. The severity-dependent decline in DL,NO and DL,CO observed at 5.7 months after COVID-19 appears to be reduced consistently at 12.5 months follow-up in the majority of patients, despite marked improvements in physical performance.

Persistence of cervical high-risk human papillomavirus in women living with HIV in Denmark - the SHADE.

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV (WLWH) have high rates of persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infections and cervical cancer. We aimed to assess the distribution of hrHPV genotypes, risk factors of type-specific hrHPV persistence, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or worse (≥HSIL) in WLWH in Denmark. METHODS: From the prospective Study on HIV, cervical Abnormalities and infections in women in Denmark (SHADE) we identified WLWH with a positive hrHPV test during the study period; 2011-2014. HIV demographics were retrieved from the Danish HIV Cohort Study and pathology results from the The Danish Pathology Data Bank. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with persistent hrHPV infection (positivity of the same hrHPV type in two samples one-two years after the first hrHPV positive date) and ≥ HSIL. RESULTS: Of 71 WLWH, 31 (43.7%) had persistent hrHPV infection. Predominant hrHPV genotypes were HPV58, 52, 51, and 35 and most frequently observed persistent genotypes were HPV52, 33 and 31. CD4 < 350 cells/µL predicted genotype-specific hrHPV persistence (adjusted OR 4.36 (95%CI: 1.18-16.04)) and ≥ HSIL was predicted by prior AIDS (adjusted OR 8.55 (95% CI 1.21-60.28)). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective cohort study of well-treated WLWH in Denmark found a high rate of persistent hrHPV infections with predominantly non-16/18 hrHPV genotypes. CD4 count < 350 cells/µL predicted hrHPV persistence, while prior AIDS predicted ≥HSIL.

Prevalence and distribution of cervical high-risk human papillomavirus and cytological abnormalities in women living with HIV in Denmark - the SHADE.

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV (WLWH) are at increased risk of persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer compared with women from the general population (WGP). We assessed the prevalence and distribution of cervical high-risk (hr) HPV infection and cytological abnormalities in WLWH compared with WGP in Denmark. Predictors of HPV and cytological abnormalities were estimated in WLWH. METHODS: WLWH consecutively enrolled in the Study on HIV, cervical Abnormalities and infections in women in Denmark (SHADE) in 2011 and were examined for cervical HPV and cytological abnormalities. WLWH were matched on age and prior cytological findings with WGP from an earlier study. HIV demographics were retrieved from the nationwide Danish HIV Cohort Study. Logistic regression was used to estimate predictors of hrHPV and cytological abnormalities. RESULTS: Of 334 included WLWH 26.4 % were positive for hrHPV as opposed to 16.6 % WGP (p < 0.0001). WLWH had a higher number of multiple infections (>1 h genotype present) (38.5 % versus 25.7 %, p = 0.030). Hr genotypes in descending order of frequency were HPV58 (7.1 %), 52 (5.4 %), and 16 (4.8 %) in WLWH versus HPV16 (4.1 %), 52 (2.8 %) and 58 (2.4 %) in WGP. Predictors of hrHPV in WLWH were short duration of HAART (adjusted OR per year 0.90 (95 % CI 0.84-0.96)), AIDS prior to inclusion (adjusted OR 3.61 (95 % CI 1.75-7.46)), ≥5 lifetime sexual partners (adjusted OR 2.20 (95 % CI 1.08-4.49)), sexual debut <16 years of age (adjusted OR 2.05 (95 % CI 1.03-4.10)) and CD4 < 350 cells/µL (adjusted OR 2.53 (95 % CI 1.20-5.40)). Cytological abnormalities were prevalent in 10.4 % vs. 5.2 % (p = 0.0003) of WLWH and WGP. In WLWH with hrHPV, short duration of HAART predicted cervical dysplasia (adjusted OR per year 0.83 (95 % CI 0.71-0.97)). CONCLUSIONS: WLWH presented with more cervical hrHPV infections and cytological abnormalities, and a different distribution of hrHPV genotypes compared with WGP. Cervical hrHPV and cytological abnormalities were predicted by short duration of HAART.

Sexually transmitted infections and use of contraceptives in women living with HIV in Denmark - the SHADE cohort.

BACKGROUND: No Danish guidelines for screening of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women living with HIV (WLWH) exist, except for annual syphilis testing. Drug-drug interaction between hormonal contraceptives and some types of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) occurs. We assessed prevalence of STIs, contraceptive choices and predictors of condom use in a cohort of WLWH in Denmark. METHODS: WLWH consecutively enrolled during their outpatient visits from 2011 to 2012. Gynaecological examination and an interview were performed at entry and 6-month follow-up. Inclusion criteria were HIV-1 infection and ≥ 18 years of age. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, alcohol- or drug abuse impeding adherence to the protocol. At entry, participants were tested (and where appropriate, treated according to guidelines) for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, syphilis, and herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2). At follow-up, predictors of condom use were estimated in sexually active WLWH. RESULTS: In total, 334 of the 1,392 eligible WLWH in Denmark were included (median age and HIV duration: 42.5 and 11.3 years). Chlamydia trachomatis was present in four individuals (1 %), and six (2 %) tested positive for HSV-2 by PCR. None were positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, HSV-1 or had active syphilis. At follow-up, 252 (76 %) participated; 168 (70 %) were sexually active. Contraceptives were used by 124 (75 %); condoms were preferred (62 %). Having an HIV-negative partner predicted condom use (adjusted OR 3.89 (95 %CI 1.49-10.11)). In the group of participants of reproductive age without pregnancy desires 13 % used no birth-control. Possible drug-drug interaction between hormonal contraceptives and HAART was found in 13/14 WLWH receiving both kinds of medication. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of STIs in WLWH in Denmark was low. The need for annual STI screening is questionable. Condoms were preferred contraceptives, especially in WLWH with an HIV-negative partner. In this cohort, 13 % of WLWH of reproductive age were at risk of unintended pregnancies due to lack of birth-control. Finally, in the subgroup of WLWH receiving both hormonal contraceptives and HAART possible drug-drug interactions could occur.

Thromboelastography on plasma reveals delayed clot formation and accelerated clot lyses in HIV-1 infected persons compared with healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic events among HIV infected persons are a recognized clinical problem but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To assess whether coagulation and fibrinolysis differ between long-term treated HIV infected individuals (HIV+) and healthy controls (CON), we investigated functional plasma coagulation by thrombelastography (TEG) and plasma markers of endothelial and platelet activation. METHODS: In 67 successfully long-term treated HIV+ and 15 CON we analyzed stored plasma samples by TEG, with or without addition of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and measured levels of C-reactive protein, thrombomodulin, syndecan-1, sVE-cadherin, soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), adrenaline and noradrenaline. RESULTS: Compared to CON, HIV+ had delayed clot formation (reaction (R)-time 14.2 min. vs. 11.2 min., p = 0.0004) and reduced clot formation rapidity (angle 22.6° vs. 48.6°, p = <0.0001). Clot lyses induced by tPA was accelerated in HIV+ displaying enhanced clot degradation after 30 and 60 min (53.9% vs. 24.2%, p < 0.0001 and 77.4% vs. 59.9%, p < 0.0001, respectively). sCD40L and TEG R-time correlated negatively in both HIV+ and CON (Rho =-0.502, p < 0.001 and rho =-0.651, p = 0.012). DISCUSSION: No previous studies have examined plasma coagulation by TEG in HIV, however, we have previously demonstrated that HIV+ display hypocoagulability in whole blood by TEG in accordance with the results of this study. Others have reported of HIV associated changes in the hemostatic system in a pro-coagulant direction based on measurements of isolated components of the coagulation pahways. In disease conditions, the flowing blood may change from "normal" to hyper- or hypocoagulant or to hyper- or hypofibrinolytic. A balance may exist in the flowing blood, i.e. between blood cells and the plasma phase, so that pro-coagulant blood cells are balanced by a hypocoagulable plasma phase; thus alterations that may promote thromboembolic events in the patient may at the same time appear as a hypocoagulable profile when evaluated in vitro. CONCLUSION: Plasma from long-term treated HIV infected persons displays a hypocoagulable profile with reduced fibrinolytic resistance as compared to healthy controls.

The economic impact of dengue hemorrhagic fever on family level in Southern Vietnam.

Dengue fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes (Aedes Aegypti). WHO estimates that 40% of the world's population live in areas endemic for dengue fever, and that there are approximately 50 million cases of dengue infection worldwide every year. This study aims to measure the economic consequences of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Southern Vietnam on family level. Estimating the economic impact of dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever is important in order to prioritize resources for research, prevention, and control. So far no studies from Vietnam concerning this subject have been published. The study is based on standardized interviews. The study includes 175 children at the age 0-15 years, hospitalized in Children's Hospital No 1 in Ho Chi Minh City during a 10-week period in the fall of 2005. The children's parents/caretakers were interviewed on expenses related to the child's disease. The study shows that the average family cost of treating one child is approximately 61 USD including direct and indirect costs. On average, the largest expenses were those related to the initial visit at a local general practitioner, the hospital bill from Children's Hospital No1 and lost income for the parents. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a large expense for a family and can rightly be considered as a substantial socio-economic burden in Southern Vietnam. Larger studies are needed for a more accurate estimate of the extent of the expenses related to both dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever.

T cell subsets in HIV infected patients after successful combination antiretroviral therapy: impact on survival after 12 years.

OBJECTIVES: Immune activation is decreased by combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but residual activation remains and has been proposed as a cause of premature aging and death, but data are lacking. We analyzed the relationship between T-cell subsets after 18 months of cART and overall survival during 12 years of follow up. METHODS: A cohort of 101 HIV infected patients who had undetectable plasma HIV after starting cART was included in 1997-1998. T cell subsets were analyzed by flowcytometry after 18 months of cART. Relation to survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves and multiple Cox regression. RESULTS: Seventeen patients died during the observation period. The leading causes of death were non-AIDS cancer and cardiovascular disease. Higher levels of CD8 memory T cells (CD8+,CD45RO+,CD45RA-) showed a significant beneficiary effect on survival, HR of 0.95 (95% confidence interval 0.91-0.99, P = 0.016) when adjusted for age, nadir CD4 count, CD4 count, and AIDS and hepatitis C status. T cell activation was not associated with increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Larger and longitudinal studies are needed to accurately establish prognostic factors, but overall results seem to suggest that prognostic information exists within the CD8 compartment.

[Concurrent leptospirosis and salmonella infection]. / Samtidig leptospirose og salmonellainfektion.

We report a case of a 56-year-old man who was admitted with septicaemia of unknown origin after working in a henhouse. The patient had beginning liver and kidney failure. Salmonella Typhimurium was cultured from the stool, and DNA from Leptospira spp. was demonstrated by PCR in the urine and blood culture. Leptospirosis is a rare condition that should be remembered as a differential diagnosis in patients with relevant exposure. Leptospirosis may be diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction at an early stage of infection. Later development of antibodies will confirm the diagnosis.